Tag Archives: Gerald Washington

boxing

Former WBA Interim Heavyweight Champion Luis Ortiz to WBC Champ Deontay Wilder: Stop Making Excuses!

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“When I look at Deontay Wilder, I see an unsure, scared fighter. He’s crazy with his technique and worried about being hit. When you are that worried about getting hit, when you do get hit, you usually get knocked out.” Luis Ortiz
A screenshot of the sent forms, dated September 9, 2016.

Responding to WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder’s recent public statements, former WBA Interim Heavyweight Champion Luis Ortiz would like to let him know: “I signed up for the WBC/VADA Clean Boxing Program last September. Stop using that excuse to avoid fighting me!”

The undefeated Ortiz (27-0, 23 Kos), of Camaguey, Teb chaws Cuba, now living in Miami, has been trying to get Wilder into a boxing ring for quite a while, as Wilder has chosen to face a string of what many would label second-tier opponents to defend against.
“He’s scared!” said Ortiz of Wilder. “The more he can use my failed test against me he will. He and (promoter Lou) DiBella are saying he won’t fight me because of that. That was years ago, and since that unfortunate incident, for which I was punished, I have tested a dozen times clean. Now he’s trying to say I haven’t signed up for VADA Clean Boxing… guess what Wilder? I signed up last September when I was notified that all WBC contenders need to be part of their new Clean Boxing Program. I filled out the paperwork and my trainer submitted it to the WBC. He can stop using that excuse to avoid me. I have nothing to hide and do not have to prove any longer to anyone that I am clean. Wilder is nothing but a paper champion who happened to be at the right place at the right time against the right opponent with, tseem ceeb tshaj, the right promoter. That’s all he is.”
Ortiz’s trainer, Herman Caicedo of Caicedo Sports Training Center of Miami, Florida, also says Ortiz’s failed drug test in 2014 is no longer a factor.
“Since failing his test years ago, Luis has been tested over a dozen times, voluntarily and mandatorily in fights. He has made it very clear that he never wants that to happen again and I wouldn’t work with a fighter I even suspected wasn’t clean. There’s too much involved in how I train fighters. We all put a lot of blood sweat and tears into training for a failed drug test to derail the entire process. I do my own drug panels and steroid checks before I take fighters. And those that do not wish to willingly participate, I will not train.”
Ortiz says sooner or later, Wilder will run out of excuses to avoid him or be run out of boxing.
“My mentality was always to beat whoever was the best fighter in my division, lub sij hawm. I don’t handpick my opponents. This is all weird and new to me. He can’t run for much longer though. I assume he will try to unify or vacate before he has to fight me. He can’t unify with the Joshua/Klitschko winner because I am the mandatory above any unification fight, and I will not be jumped over. Yog li ntawd, he can try to beat up (New Zealand-based contender Joseph) Parker after his next fight. Then retire the paper champion he is.”
“I am very confident about the outcome if Ortiz and Wilder ever do fight,” continued Caicedo. “Ortiz will knock him out within 10 rounds. Luis has a level to his approach that I haven’t seen in quite some time. He is a throwback, old-school heavyweight boxer. He has incredible poise, precision, and ring generalship. He’s accurate with this punches and defensively very sound. If they ever do fight, Wilder will be exposed. Tab sis, he will probably retire a legend in his own mind without ever fighting anybody.”
Ortiz says no matter what happens with Deontay Wilder, he is happy and comfortable with his life.
“Kuv xav ua tsaug rau kuv pab neeg: Jay, Javier and my trainer Herman for the support they give me throughout all this uncertainty, as well as my fans and, most important to me, my wife and three children. I never thought I would be fighting to make a living. Boxing was always what I did because I loved it. I fought for pride. I fought for bragging rights!! I have already achieved one dream and that was to be here in the United States with my family. I am a United States citizen and very proud. Now to be able to box for a living, make money and potentially become world champion… uas, rau kuv, is priceless.”
boxing

Caleb Plant Talks Ring Return, Sparring George Groves, Commentating Debut

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Yees duab Credit: Mario Serrano – Team Plant
Las Vegas, NV (Lub ob hlis ntuj 2, 2017) – Undefeated super-middleweight contender, Caleb “Qab zib Ob txhais tes” Tsob nroj (14-0, 10 Kos), yuav ua nws 2017 debut on the Deontay Wilder (37-0, 36 Kos) vs. Gerald Washington (18-0-1, 12 Kos) card, taking place at the Legacy Arena, nyob rau hauv Birmingham, Alabama on February 25th. Plant will headline his own show on Fox Sports 1 against an opponent TBA on February 25th as part of a multiple telecast event.
Tsob nroj, talks about his upcoming fight, sparring with world title contender George Nyuaj (25-3, 18 Kos), and his commentating debut.
“Rau February 25th, I’ll be making my ring return,” said Caleb Plant the IBF #15 contender. “I’m really pumped up to be headlining on Fox Sports 1. Nashville, Tennessee, kuv hometown, is only a few hours away from Alabama, so I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of my family and friends in attendance.”
“Last week I got great work sparring with George Groves when he was in town for the Frampton fight. He’s a class act and I learned a lot from being in the ring with him. I held my own and my confidence is at an all-time high. I know I can compete with anyone in the world. I’m just going to take it one fight at a time. I’ll be ready for whoever they put in front of me.”
Nyob rau hauv tas li ntawd, Plant will be commentating side by side with Brian Custer during the Sammy Vasquez (21-1, 15 Kos) vs. Luis Collazo (36-7, 19 Kos) showdown hmo no rau hma liab kev ua si 1.
“My career is headed in the right direction and I’m excited to be commentating hmo no on Fox Sports 1,” Tsob nroj txuas ntxiv. “Commentating is something I’ve always wanted to do. Vasquez and Collazo are two fighters looking to make a statement and I believe it’s going to be a great fight for the fans. I have a great team around me and I’m very grateful for all the opportunities that have come my way. I’m going to take full advantage of the situation.”
boxing, Hma liab, Premier Boxing Champions

Unbeaten Heavyweight Gerald Washington Steps in to Face Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder in Main Event of Premier Boxing Champions on FOX & FOX Deportes Saturday, Lub ob hlis ntuj 25 From Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama

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Uas tawm hauv TV pab them nqi pib ntawm 8 p.m. THIAB/5 p.m. PT
Birmingham, AL (Lub ib hlis ntuj 30, 2017) – Undefeated heavyweight world champion Deontay “Lub Bronze Bomber” Wilder (37-0, 36 Kos) will now defend his title against unbeaten contender Gerald “Cov Dub Lau qaib” Washington (18-0-1, 12 Kos) nyob rau hauv lub ntsiab kev tshwm sim ntawm Premier Boxing Champions rau FOX and FOX Deportes Saturday, Lub ob hlis ntuj 25, from Legacy Arena at the BJCC in Birmingham, Alabama.
The opponent change comes after Wilder’s original foe, Andrzej Wawrzyk, tested positive for a banned substance.
“I’m very happy to get this opportunity to fight for my first world championship,” Washington said. “I know that I’ll be fighting Deontay Wilder in his backyard, but that adds more excitement to the fight for me. I’m looking forward to going to Birmingham and coming away with a victory just like I did in my last fight there.”
Washington, a 34-year-old U.S. Navy veteran who also played tight end and defensive end at the University of Southern California, scored a fourth round knockout over former title challenger Ray Austin in his last fight. It came on the undercard of the same show in Birmingham where Wilder suffered a torn right biceps muscle and fractured his right hand against Chris Arreola on July 16, 2016. Wilder won on a 9th round TKO, but needed several rounds of surgery to repair the damage and has spent the last six months in rehabilitation.
“I was disappointed when Wawrzyk tested positive for a banned substance and wasn’t available to fight. I didn’t want to disappoint my loyal fans in Birmingham, who have always supported me,” Wilder said. “I’m glad Gerald Washington stepped up to the challenge and allowed us to go forward with the show. He’s a tall heavyweight (6-foot-6) with a good jab and the kind of test that I need coming back from surgery on my biceps muscle and my right hand. I’m looking forward to putting on a good show for all my fans.”
“Nyob rau hauv cov ntaub ntawv no, losing an opponent has resulted in a much better matchup for fight fans,” hais tias Lou DiBella, Thawj Tswj Hwm ntawm DiBella Lom ze. “Gerald Washington, one of the highest rated American heavyweights, is a huge man and a physical specimen. A U.S. Navy veteran, Washington is a tremendous athlete who played football at USC and was on the practice squads of both the Seattle Seahawks and Buffalo Bills. He’s made a successful transition to boxing, and has been working toward his shot at Deontay Wilder and a heavyweight championship. This is the challenge that Deontay wanted and those that come out to the Legacy Arena or tune into Premier Boxing Champions on FOX and FOX Deportes will be the beneficiaries.”
“Despite the unfortunate circumstances that have allowed Gerald Washington to have this opportunity, I am confident he will be making the most of it,” said Tom Brown, Thawj Tswj Hwm ntawm TGB Promotions, Washington’s promoter. “Getting to fight a great champion like Deontay Wilder on national television is every fighter’s dream. Lub ob hlis ntuj 25 will be a great night for American heavyweights. Gerald is in amazing shape and he’s coming to win.”
Daim pib rau lub nyob kev tshwm sim, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and TBG Promotions in association with Bruno Event Team, pib ntawm $25 (tsis xws li siv cov nqi) thiab yog muag tam sim no. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and by visiting AlabamaTitleFight.com.
Washington calls himself “Cov Dub Lau qaib” (The Black Rooster) to honor his African-American father and Mexican-American mother. He turned pro in July 2012, following a brief amateur career. He has risen steadily in the ranks after each fight and is now poised to take on the biggest challenge of his professional career. If he defeats Wilder, he will become the first Mexican-American heavyweight world champion.
Televised kev pab them nqi pib thaum 8 p.m. THIAB/5 p.m. PT and features a pair of exciting matchups as rising super welterweight contenders Tony Harrison thiab Jarrett Hurd meet in a 12-round world title eliminator, plus hard-hitting Dominic Breazeale battles undefeated Izuagbe Ugonoh nyob rau hauv Heavyweight txiav txim.
Yog xav paub ntxiv, mus ntsib www.premierboxingchampions.com,www.alabamatitlefight.comwww.dbe1.com,http://www.tgbpromotions.com/http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage thiab foxdeportes.com. Ua raws li ntawm TwitterPremierBoxing, BronzeBomber, FOXSports, FOXDeportes, @LouDiBella and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing,www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment, www.Facebook.com/FoxSports thiabwww.Facebook.com/FoxDeportes. Ua raws li cov kev sib tham siv #PBConFOX. PBC rau FOX yog txhawb nqa los ntawm Corona, finest Beer.
boxing, Hma liab, Hma liab kev ua si 1, Premier Boxing Champions

2012 U.S. Olympian & 154-Pound Contender Terrell Gausha Takes On Mexico’s Orlando Lora in Exciting Undercard Battle

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Ntau! Unbeaten Heavyweight Gerald Washington Takes On
Former Title Challenger Eddie Chambers
&
Undefeated Light Heavyweight David Benavidez Faces
Hard-Hitting Phillip Jackson
Saturday, Plaub Hlis Ntuj 30 Los ntawm StubHub Center nyob rau hauv Carson, California.
Carson, California. (Plaub Hlis Ntuj 22, 2016) – Rising contender and 2012 U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha (17-0, 8 Kos) yuav siv sij hawm nyob Mexico lub Orlando Lora (30-6-2, 19 Kos) in a 10-round super welterweight affair that highlights undercard action at StubHub Center in Carson, California. rau Saturday, Plaub Hlis Ntuj 30.
Nyob rau hauv tas li ntawd, heavyweight contenders Gerald “Cov Dub Lau qaib” Washington (16-0-1, 11 Kos) thiab “Fast” Eddie Chambers (42-4, 23 Kos) will meet in a 10-round bout while unbeaten rising knockout artist David “Tus liab Flag” Benavidez (13-0, 12 Kos) battles hard-hitting Phillip Jackson (16-2, 15 Kos) in eight-rounds of light heavyweight action.
lub Plaub Hlis Ntuj 30 event features a PBC on FOX and FOX Deportes tripleheader headlined by the highly anticipated welterweight rematch between “Vicious” Victor Ortiz thiab Lwm yam “Lub Beast” Berto. Televised kev pab them nqi pib thaum 8 p.m. THIAB/5 p.m. PT with a featherweight showdown between unbeaten Jorge Lara and former multiple division world champion Fernando “Cochulito” Montiel followed by a contest between hard-hitting light heavyweights Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez thiab Thomas “Sab saum toj Aub” Williams Jr.
Further undercard action features Los Angeles-native Manny Robles Jr. (9-0, 4 Kos) in a featherweight battle against Mexico’s Eduardo Rafael Reyes (6-6, 5 Kos), 26-year-old brother of Abner, Adan “Speedy” Niam (14-1-2, 3 Kos) taking on Phoenix’s Jesus Aguinaga (4-3) in a six-round lightweight bout and Mexico’s Luis Bello (6-4, 2 Kos) against in a six-round super lightweight contest.
Rounding out the action is Los Angeles native Anthony Flores (10-0, 6 Kos) in a six-round welterweight scrap and 28-year-old Dardan Zenunaj (11-1, 9 Kos) of Kosovo in a six-round lightweight affair.
Daim pib rau lub nyob kev tshwm sim, uas yog txhawb los ntawm TGB Promotions, yog luv nqi ntawm $209, $105, $53, thiab $27, ntxiv uas siv se, cov nqi thiab cov kev pab cuam nqi, yog on muag tam sim no thiab muaj nyob rau yuav khoom hauv online ntawm AXS.com.
Prior to the start of televised fights, an Official Fan Fest will be held for ticket holders outside of StubHub Center. The events start at 2:30 p.m. PT and features a Corona Beer Garden, food trucks, music from the band Metalachi and autograph signings with popular fighters such as Leo Santa Cruz, Hlob Abner mares, Shawn Porter and more.
Yug thiab tsa nyob rau hauv Cleveland, Gaushawas ib tug dai kom zoo nkauj pib xyaum ua uas yeej kub medals nyob rau US. Teb chaws Championships nyob rau hauv 2009 thiab 2012 thiab sawv cev lub Teb Chaws Asmeskas ua ib feem ntawm cov 2012 Olympic Team. Lub 28-xyoo-laus yog undefeated vim txoj siav nyob rau hauv pro 2012. Nyob rau hauv 2015 he earned victories over Norberto Gonzalez, Luis Grajeda, Eliezer Gonzalez and Said El Harrak. He will be challenged by the Mexican veteran Lora out of Sinaloa.
Ib tug ob-txoj kev uas ua ntawv (kaw ntom nti ua kawg thiab defensive kawg) ntawm lub tsev kawm ntawv yav qab teb California, Washington siv lub sij hawm nrog lub Seattle Seahawks thiab Twm nqi xyaum squads rau nws unconventional txoj kev uas coj nws mus rau boxing. Lub 33-xyoo-laus kuj ua hauj lwm nyob rau hauv lub Navy raws li ib tug kws kho tsheb nyoob hoom qav taub ua ntej yuav mus USC thiab tsis tau txais nws pib nyob rau hauv kev boxing kom txog rau thaum 2012. Fighting out of Vallejo, California, he is yet to lose in his latest endeavor after fighting to a draw with Amir Mansour in October and defeating Jason Gavern in March last year.
Representing the outstanding fight city of Philadelphia, Chambers enters this fight on a six-bout winning streak including stoppages in his lat two fights of Dorian Darch and Galen Brown. The veteran heavyweight challenged Wladimir Klitschko in 2010 for the heavyweight world title and owns victories over Derric Rossy, Dominick Guinn, Calvin Brock and Alexander Dimitrenko over his long career.
The younger brother of undefeated Jose Benavidez, David has racked up a perfect 13 wins in 13 starts at just 19-years-old. Fighting out of Phoenix, Benavidez picked up four victories via stoppage in 2015 and kicked off his 2016 with a knockout of Kevin Cobbs in January. He returns to take on the New York City product Jackson, who enters this fight the winner of 13 ntawm nws lub xeem 14 kev sib tw.
Yog xav paub ntxiv mus xyuas www.premierboxingchampions.com www.TGBPromotions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass / homepage thiabfoxdeportes.com raws li nyob rau hauv TwitterPremierBoxing, @ViciousOrtiz, AndreBerto,LaBombaBoxing, TopDoggJr, FOXSports, FOXDeportes ThiabSwanson_Comm thiab ua ib cov kiv cua hauv Facebook ntawmwww.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing, www.facebook.com/foxsports thiabwww.facebook.com/foxdeportes. Ua raws li cov kev sib tham siv #PBConFOX. PBC rau FOX yog txhawb nqa los ntawm Corona, finest Beer.
boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

LEO SANTA CRUZ RETAINS WBA FEATHERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE WITH FIFTH-ROUND TKO WIN OVER KIKO MARTINEZ

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HUGO RUIZ REGAINS WBC SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD TITLE WITH DEVASTATING FIRST-ROUND KO OVER JULIO CEJA
Watch The Replay Of The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® DoubleheaderTag kis/Sunday ntawm 9 a.m. THIAB/PT Nyob Showtime®,
Monday, Feb. 29, ntawm 10 p.m. THIAB/PT Nyob Sho huab®
Nyem NTAWM NO Rau cov duab
Yees duab Credit: Stephanie Trapp / Showtime
ANAHEIM, California. (Feb. 27, 2016) – Tsov ntxhuav “Av qeeg” Raug Cruz defended his WBA Featherweight World Championship in convincing fashion nyob rau hnub Saturday hmo ntuj, knocking down Kiko “Sensación” Martinez twice in the first round, then ending it on a barrage of punches as the fight was called at 2:09 in the fifth round in the main event of a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Nyob rau hauv lub co-feature rau SHOWTIME, 29-xyoo-laus Hugo Ruiz (36-3, 31 Kos), Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, regained his WBC Super Bantamweight World Title with a devastating early knockdown with just 51 seconds into the 12-round fight against 23-year-old Lub Xya hli ntuj Ceja (30-2, 27 Kos) of Atizapan De Zaragoza, Mexico, in a highly anticipated rematch of their August fight won by Ceja.
Fighting just 10 miles west of his hometown of La Habra and before 7,780 enthusiastic fans, the 27-year-old Santa Cruz (32-0-1, 18 Kos) continued to establish himself as the King of Southern California as he punished the game 29-year-old Martinez (35-7, 26 Kos) of Alicante, Valencia, Spain, nrog 570 total punches in just five rounds. There were 1,038 total punches thrown during the fight.
“The fans love it when two fighters go toe-to-toe,” Santa Cruz told SHOWTIME’s Jim Gray after the fight. “I wanted to give the fans a great fight. I knew I could hurt him with a right hand. He’s a fighter and when he’s knocked down, he’s going to come back. In the fifth round I knew I had to finish him off and I did.”
Santa Cruz continued, “We were going toe-to-toe from the beginning. He’s was throwing good punches I was throwing out good punches and the crowd was loving it. Then my dad told me to slow down and be smarter so we started boxing.”
Santa Cruz wasted no time getting the upper hand as the opening bell rung. He knocked Martinez out twice in the first round; the first just 23 seconds into the fight and the second on a devastating right hand at two minutes into the round prompting SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING play-by-play announcer Mauro Ranallo to tell expert analyst Al Bernstein: “We may be able to get to Disneyland before the end of the night.”
Martinez fell into a groove in the third and fourth rounds, but got into trouble two minutes into the fifth round as Santa Cruz had him up against the ropes connecting on numerous body shots, uppercuts and combinations before referee Raul Caiz Sr. signaled the end of the fight for Santa Cruz’s second straight world title defense in Southern California.
Martinez said that Santa Cruz, “started to move a lot and he broke my strategy and he fought a great fight. The second round I was getting looser and I was starting to feel much better.
“He was like a bull coming forward really strong,” Santa Cruz added. “He has definitely been one of the strongest fighters I’ve been in the ring with yet.
“Towards the end I said, ‘this is it, this is my opportunity to take him down. If I don’t finish him right here, it’s going to make it a really tough fight.’ So I said I was going at it with my all and thankfully it turned out the way that it did.”
Raug Cruz, making his second defense after capturing the world title from Hlob Abner mares back in August, said someday he wants to break the records for most punches thrown in a fight. “I wanted to throw as many punches as I can so the fans could get a good show.”
Santa Cruz is now eyeing a future potential matchup with IBF 122-pound world champion Carl Frampton ntawm 126 pounds or Gary Russell. “I’m up for anyone,” nws hais tias. “I want the rematch with (Hlob Abner) Niam. Since Frampton won, if he’s ready to go up in weight, I’m ready for him. I challenge him to a fight whenever he’s ready.”
In a rematch of the WBC Super Bantamweight World Title he lost last August, the new 122-pound champion Ruiz improved his record to 5-0 in rematches (nrog tsib knockouts) as he delivered a stunning first-round knockout against Ceja, who injured his right ankle on a powerful clean right just seconds into the fight sending him to the canvas.
Ceja got up slowly but was battered with a fury of punches and knocked out again with just 51 seconds into the fight ending the affair.
“I was very prepared to knock him out, but I was prepared to go 12 rounds hmo no also if I had to,” said Ruiz, who was teary and emotional following the victory. “I was happy to knock him out in the first round. I’m looking for the best fighters and the best money out there.”
Said SHOWTIME analyst Paulie Malignaggi: “I’ve never seen a first-round KO that soon in a fight of this much importance.” Added SHOWTIME’s Bernstein: “The right hand was the weapon of choice for Ruiz, and he got the job done. What a moment of redemption for Ruiz!”
Plaub muag, who beat Ruiz on a fifth-round knockout last August to win the world title, was hurt from the first series of Ruiz punches and never recovered in the intense first round.
Ceja was taken to nearby UC Irvine Hospital and diagnosed with a fractured right ankle.
“I saw that he got hurt with the first punch and I saw his leg wobbling and so I said, ‘Let’s finish’,” Ruiz hais tias. “And I did in that round.”
Nyuam qhuav pib Saturday los ntawm Manchester, Hais, rau SHOWTIME BOXING thoob ntiaj teb, IBF 122-pound world champion Carl Frampton unified the super bantamweight division with a split decision victory over WBA titlist Scott QUIGG.
The long-awaited matchup of unbeaten champions got off to a slow and tactical start, but Belfast native Frampton (22-0, 14 Kos) established himself as the aggressor and worked his jab to pocket the early rounds. Quigg didn’t come alive until after the seventh, when trainer Joe Gallagher warned his charge that he was likely down big on the judges’ scorecards.
QUIGG (31-1-2) pounded the body and was the aggressor in rounds eight through 11, but it was too little, too late for the Lancashire, England native. Frampton won the 12th and walked away the unified champion by scores of 115-113 for Quigg, tab sis 116-112 twice for Frampton.
Lub SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader yuav rov cua lub lim tiam no raws li nram no:
DAY CHANNEL
Tag kis, Sunday, Feb. 28, 3 a.m. THIAB/12 a.m. PT SHOW EXTREME
Tag kis, Sunday, Feb. 28, 9 am ET/PT SHOWTIME
Monday, Feb. 29, 10 p.m. THIAB/PT SHOWTIME huab
Saturday lub two-fight telecast will be available at SHOWTIME ON DEMAND beginning tag kis, Sunday, Feb. 28.
Brian Custer hosted the SHOWTIME telecast, nrog Mauro Ranallo calling the action, Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and former two-time world champion Paulie Malignaggicommentating and Jim Gray qhia. Nyob rau hauv cov lus Mev simulcast, Alejandro nkauj hnub nraug hli called the blow-by-blow and former world champion Raul Marquez served as color commentator. The executive producer of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING was David Dinkins Jr. nrog Bob Dunphy directing.
# # #
Raug Cruz vs. Martinez, was 12-round bout for Santa Cruz’s WBA Featherweight Title taking place on Saturday, Feb. 27 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California., promoted by TGB Promotions in association with Sampson Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Corona. Nyob rau hauv lub co-feature, Julio Ceja and Hugo Ruiz met in a super bantamweight world title rematch for the WBC belt. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast aired live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. THIAB/7 p.m. PT) and was available in Spanish via Secondary Audio Programming (SAP).
Yog xav paub ntxiv mus xyuas www.SHO.com/Sports raws li nyob rau hauv TwitterSHOSports, @LeoSantaCruz2, @MartinezKiko, TGBPromotions, @HondaCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports
boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

Leo Santa Cruz VS. KIKO MARTINEZ FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES AND PHOTOS FOR THEIR FEATHERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWDOWN THIS SATURDAY AT THE HONDA CENTER

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Nyob Ntawm Showtime® Ntawm 10 p.m. THIAB/7 p.m. PT

Nyem NTAWM NO Rau cov duab

Credit: Stephanie Trapp / Showtime

ANAHEIM, California. (Lub ob hlis ntuj 25, 2016) - Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruzthiab Kiko “Sensacion” Martinez went face-to-face Thursday at the final press conference before their featherweight world title showdown on Saturday, Feb. 27 nyob rau SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. THIAB/7 p.m. PT) from Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

 

Tsis tas li ntawd nyob rau hauv kev mus kawm ntawv Thursday twb Lub Xya hli ntuj Ceja thiab Hugo Ruiz, who will enter the ring in a super bantamweight world title rematch as part of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast beginning at 10 p.m. THIAB/7 p.m. PT.

 

The previously announced opening bout between undefeated heavyweights Gerald Washington (16-0-1, 11 Kos) and Oscar Rivas (18-0, 13 Kos) has been cancelled due to Rivas being unable to pass a mandatory eye-exam.

 

Daim pib rau lub nyob kev tshwm sim, which is promoted by TGB promotions, yog luv nqi ntawm $27, $54, $104 thiab $199 and are on sale now via ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster retail locations, los ntawm hu xov tooj 800-745-3000 of by stopping by the Honda Center Box Office.

 

All of the televised fighters in the now doubleheader have promised to live up to their all-action styles and will provide great drama for fans nyob rau hnub Saturday night at Honda Center. Santa Cruz will be making the first defense of his featherweight world title while Ceja puts his 122-pound title on the line after earning the vacant belt with a fifth round stoppage of Ruiz in an exciting back-and-forth fight in August.

 

Ntawm no yog li cas rau neeg tua hluav taws yuav tsum tau hais Thursday:

 

Leo Santa Cruz

 

“Headlining a televised card has been my childhood dream. I could have never imagined I was going to get this far. And Here I am, on my second main event, defending my title on a premium network. I’m so psyched. I cannot believe it.

 

“The first time I put the gloves on, I knew that I had found my craft, and I also knew that it was not going to be an easy road. I knew that I had to work hard to become a champion. Yog li ntawd, I trained the hardest and I fought the hardest, and with my father by my side I got here, where I’m at today. I owe him everything.

 

“I remember watching all the great Mexican Champions and day dreaming about being like them one day. It felt unreachable. I thought it was impossible to get where they were. But I worked hard, really hard from the beginning.

 

“The most important thing is that the fans leave happy and get their money’s worth. I’m glad that Kiko has come prepared because we’re ready for a great fight.

 

“People are saying that I should walk through Kiko Martinez, but I don’t listen to that. I look at Kiko the same way I look at any other opponent. When we step inside the ring, we are equals.

 

"Thaum lub kawg ntawm lub hnub, the winner will be the fighter who has prepared more and who has imposed his will on the other man.

 

 

KIKO MARTINEZ

 

“I have faced much stronger boxers than Leo and come Saturday, all of those who did bet on me for this fight, I am going to make you a lot of money.

 

“I am excited and proud to know that Sergio Martinez will be present nyob rau hnub Saturday supporting me. His guidance and presence

 

“My trainer could not be here, but we have not taken one day off in training camp and I have been pushed to my limit to prepare me for this fight. I’m thankful to Robert Garcia for being in my corner nyob rau hnub Saturday.

 

“I know this is a great opportunity to fight Leo Santa Cruz and I will make the most of it. I’m going to leave everything inside the ring so that the fight fans enjoy a great championship matchup.

 

“I feel that Leo Santa Cruz is a great fighter, he has beat some incredible fighters. He’s a great athlete and boxer. Sometimes people will try to make him out to be more than he actually is but they are mistaken with what they see in me. I am not to be mistaken as the underdog here.

 

 

JULIO CEJA

 

“As Hugo mentioned, we have both trained even harder than last time and we’re more prepared physically and mentally.

 

“I’m going to give everybody a great fight just like last time. I’m walking into the ring knowing my opponent very well. We’ve been to war. I know what to expect from him. I know about his punch and I know how to counter it.

 

“I’m going to be alert and ready. I’ll be a little more intelligent, because I know that he’s coming well prepared and he’s coming for the world title, but he’s not going to get it.

“There are going to be no surprises in this fight. Hugo Ruiz said that he was training harder this time. But I am too. I’ve trained very hard.

 

“The key for me to win this fight is to keep my hands up and to not give him one inch. I cannot be careless. I’ll be strategic and use my wisdom. I cannot come in with my hands down because I know I’ll pay for it. But nothing to worry about, we have rectified those issues in training camp. Kuv npaj txhij. He’s not taking my belt away from me.

 

“I’m glad that he says he is better prepared this time because I am better than ever. My team has been instrumental in preparing me for this matchup.

 

“The winner will be the man who is more prepared physically and mentally. But the real winner will be the fans at Honda Center because this is an amazing card and we’re going to put on an amazing fight.”

 

 

Hugo Ruiz

 

“If you liked the first fight between us, then you are going to love this one.

 

“I’m excited to be fighting once again in Southern California. I’ve trained very hard and I have prepared myself for this world title opportunity.

 

“I’m looking forward to putting on a grand show for all my fans nyob rau hnub Saturday hmo ntuj. "

 

 

Jose Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz’ Father & Tus kws qhia

 

“I hear Kiko has a great trainer on his corner. Robert Garcia is really good, but I have news for Kiko, his trainer is not going to fight for him.

“Once a fighter steps into the ring, he’s alone in there. There are no trainers and no great promoters that can fight for him.”

 

“Kiko speaks about this prestigious trainer and thinks that by mentioning him, he is going to intimidate us. He has something else coming. The trainer won’t fight for Kiko. Roberto Garcia has trained my son and knows Leo very well but that does not give Kiko the upper hand.”

 

NTUAG Xim av, Head of TGB Promotions

 

“Southern California favorite Leo Santa Cruz returns to bring his action style to the ring. He will be opposed by a tough former world champion in Kiko Martinez who is sure to make this a tremendous fight.

 

“The first fight between Ceja and Ruiz was a true back and forth war. Should this pick up right where it left off, we will have a great fight to start the telecast.

 

“I’m looking forward to a great night nyob rau hnub Saturday night in front of the fantastic Southern California boxing fans.”

 

 

TIM RYAN, CEO & President of Honda Center

 

“I’m so thankful to everyone for helping to bring boxing back to Orange County. It’s hard to believe that Julio Cesar Chavez fought here in 1996, because it seems like yesterday.

 

“We have a great arena and a great fan base that loves boxing here in Orange County. The card nyob rau hnub Saturday is wonderful. I know these guys will be ready and I’m looking forward to an action-packed night on the 27th.

 

CHRIS DEBLASIO, Vice Thawj Tswj Hwm, Sports Communication Showtime Networks

 

“This is a fight fan’s fight card and we are looking forward to some explosive action. I think everyone knows that the lighter weight classes, especially at the championship level, produce exciting fights. My favorite examples include the epic series between Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez, which are available on SHOWTIME platforms and should wet your appetite for what we will see nyob rau hnub Saturday hmo ntuj. "

 

Yog xav paub ntxiv mus xyuas www.SHO.com/Sports raws li nyob rau hauv TwitterSHOSports, @LeoSantaCruz2, @MartinezKiko, TGBPromotions, @HondaCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports

boxing, Showtime Boxing

KIKO MARTINEZ, JULIO CEJA & GERALD WASHINGTON MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS FOR THIS SATURDAY’S SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® TRIPLEHEADER Live On SHOWTIME® At 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT “

Cia ib saib
Nyem NTAWM NO Rau cov duab
Credit: Stephanie Trapp / Showtime
LOS ANGELES (Feb. 24, 2016) – Yav tas los lub ntiaj teb champion Kiko “Sensacion” Martinez (35-6-0, 26 Kos) participated in a media workout Wednesday at the City of Angels Boxing Club in Los Angeles as he prepares to face undefeated WBA Featherweight World Champion Leo Santa Cruz (31-0-1, 17 Kos) nyob rau hnub Saturday, Feb. 27 nyob rau SHOWTIME® (7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. THIAB) from Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
In the co-feature Mexican warrior Julio Ceja (30-1, 27 Kos) meets Hugo Ruiz 35-3, 31 Kos) in a long-awaited Super Bantamweight World Title rematch and undefeated heavyweight Gerald Washington (16-0-1, 11 Kos) will face unbeaten Oscar Rivas (18-0, 13 Kos). Both Ceja and Washington joined Martinez to give the media a preview of what’s to come nyob rau hnub Saturday.
Martinez spoke about the adjustments he’s made as his trainer Gabriel Sarmiento was unable to obtain a Visa in time to travel to the United States and will not be able to serve in his corner come Saturday. Martinez is confident that renowned Southern California trainer Robert García will be able to lead him to a world title nyob rau hnub Saturdayhmo ntuj.
Daim pib rau lub nyob kev tshwm sim, which is promoted by TGB promotions, yog luv nqi ntawm $27, $54, $104 thiab $199 and are on sale now via ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster retail locations, los ntawm hu xov tooj 800-745-3000 of by stopping by the Honda Center Box Office.
Ntawm no yog li cas rau neeg tua hluav taws yuav tsum tau hais Wednesday:
KIKO MARTINEZ
“I’m very happy to have Robert Garcia in my corner. He has led so many fighters to world titles. I’m excited and I’m anxious to get things going. I’m ready to collaborate and I think we’ll do great things Saturday.
“The people who doubt that I will take this title only make me stronger and more dangerous.
“Training camp has been extremely tough with lots of demands due to facing a champion like Leo Santa Cruz because he’s an excellent boxer who I admire. I have completely devoted myself to training for this fight.
“Nyob rau hnub Saturday everyone will get to see the best Kiko Martinez. I am going to be bringing the pressure and giving you all a great fight with power punches to disarm Santa Cruz and take the title.
“I hope that fans will change their mindset of seeing me as the underdog and support me because I am here to show something else.
“I am very happy to be here and have the opportunity to fight in the United States again.
“I love this California weather, it reminds me of the weather of El Canario where I was training and I am feeling great.
“Kuv npaj txhij. Now all there is left is to wait. We’ve got the weigh-in ahead of us and I’ve already made weight. I will be working up a sweat just to remain active and distracted because I am ready to jump in the ring and start the best fight of my life.
“I have won a world title in the United States and became a world champ here and I am expecting to become the world champ here once again. That fight was how I became known here, now this fight will be the biggest fight of my career.
“I’ve been studying [Raug Cruz] for quite some time now, since I’ve been waiting to fight him previously, now it has come to this point in this time of my life. I have grown and learned so much since then that I truly feel that I have learned from my mistakes and grown to the best of my life yet.”
“Luckily [trainer Gabriel Sarmiento] has been training me up until this point. We’re on the same team and we have each other’s backs and he is still fully supportive. I have him in my heart and I know that he will be supporting me all the way.
“I am not worried about what anyone is saying. All I want is to get in the ring comeSaturday and demonstrate that Leo and I will put on a huge fight and the audience will not be bored for a single minute.”
JULIO CEJA
“We have had a long and very intense camp. We are prepared and know what is on the line here because we know that Hugo comes at it with everything he’s got. This is a prestigious opportunity that I have been presented with and we can forecast that it will be an all-or-nothing fight.
“This will be a toe-to-toe fight because we both know each other’s strengths and having fought before we know this rematch will be explosive.
“From the second we knew there would be a rematch, we immediately started training. We knew going in to this again that it will be a tough fight and this one will be better than the first. It will be more dangerous and more of a fight than the last because of what the rematch represents.
“I have trained very hard because I know what is on the line and I am not going to allow Ruiz to take that title from be so easily. It is going to be an all-out battle.
“Hugo has reach and height on me but all I know is that once I hear that bell, none of that matters. There’s a reason why they call me the champ and I am confident in my skill to show that.
“I am looking to show up and give the fans an entertaining show. I will be looking for a fight all throughout and keep it exciting for the fans who are coming out to see a good fight.
“I devoted my life to becoming the champion and my life dream was always to be a champ, so this is something that I will fight to the end for.
“I became a champ here in the United States and now that I am blessed with the opportunity to get a rematch here. I’m ready to take full advantage of this chance to give it 100 percent.”
GERALD WASHINGTON
“I grew up boxing and boxing was always my passion as a kid. I used to go to the local Boys & Girls Club as a kid and I’ve been in love with it since. It’s always been a part of me and I’m glad I can do it again and take over this division.
“There are lot’s similarities in football and boxing. You watch film, break your opponent down. We take everything from sparring and practice and take them out to the game.
“Qhov no yog mus yuav ib tug zoo sib ntaus. It’s always a good battle when you have two undefeated fighters. It’s going to be a night full of action. I look forward to the action. I love stepping up and facing top-flight competition.
“Rivas has an extensive amateur background. Nws yog ib tug loj, strong guy who likes the knockout. He’s going to go for it. I’m prepared for a fight like that. I know the pressure is coming. We’ve worked hard since my last fight.
“The jab is the key for everything. It opens up all the other shots and keeps the opponent off balance. I’m going to hammer him with it. It’s a major tool.
“It’s a great honor to be fighting here in Los Angeles. My whole life has taken place in this state and everyone who has supported me is coming together nyob rau hnub Saturday to see it all in action.
“Heavyweight boxing is always exciting. We’re the hardest hitters in the game. I can’t wait to show everyone the hard work I’ve put in and give a great performance.
“I’m going to be smart and disciplined in the ring. But you also have to have a strong will and have the determination to keep moving forward. You have to step to the guy and apply the pressure.
“My height and reach is always to my advantage but it’s not that. It’s the legs, the mind, the combinations. It’s everything.
“You will see a smart and aggressive style from me nyob rau hnub Saturday and I’m going to take that into the next level of my career.”
# # #
Raug Cruz vs. Martinez, a 12-round bout for Santa Cruz’s WBA Featherweight Title taking place on Saturday, Feb. 27 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California., is promoted by TGB Promotions in association with Sampson Boxing Promotions. Nyob rau hauv lub co-feature, Julio Ceja and Hugo Ruiz will meet in super bantamweight world title rematch for the WBC belt and opening the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast, Gerald Washington will face Oscar Rivas in a 10-round heavyweight bout. The tripleheader will air live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. THIAB/7 p.m. PT) and will be available in Spanish via Secondary Audio Programming (SAP).
Yog xav paub ntxiv mus xyuas www.SHO.com/Sports raws li nyob rau hauv TwitterSHOSports, @LeoSantaCruz2, @MartinezKiko, TGBPromotions, @HondaCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOSports
boxing, Showtime Boxing

Leo Santa Cruz MEDIA Workout QUOTES & DUAB

Cia ib saib
Undefeated Santa Cruz Defends Featherweight World Title Against
Former Champ Kiko Martinez Saturday, Lub ob hlis ntuj 27 Nyob Ntawm Showtime®
From Honda Center In Anaheim, California.

Nyem NTAWM NO Rau cov duab ntawm Scott Hirano / Showtime
ANAHEIM, California. (Lub ob hlis ntuj 18, 2016) – Undefeated featherweight world champion Tsov ntxhuav “Av qeeg” Raug Cruz held an open media workout Thursday at Who’s Next Boxing Academy in La Puente, California., as he prepares for his first title defense against Kiko “Sensacilos ntawmn” Martinez Saturday, Lub ob hlis ntuj 27 nyob rauSHOWTIME from Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Raug Cruz vs. Martinez headlines a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader that features Mexican warriors Lub Xya hli ntuj Ceja thiab Hugo Ruiz meeting in an awaited super bantamweight world title rematch plus heavyweights Gerald “Cov Dub Lau qaib” Washington thiab Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas will put their unblemished records on the line in a 10-round matchup. The action begins at 10 p.m. THIAB/7 p.m. PT.

Daim pib rau lub nyob kev tshwm sim, uas yog txhawb los ntawm TGB Promotions, yog luv nqi ntawm $27, $54, $104 thiab $199 and are on sale now via ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster retail locations or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the Honda Center Box Office.

Santa Cruz worked out alongside his father and trainer, Jose Santa Cruz, for the media in attendance and spoke about his upcoming bout and more. The workout also featured a surprise performance from Martin Castillo and a five-piece band that included a tuba and an accordion. Santa Cruz jumped rope and went through drills while traditional Mexican folk music called Corrido filled the Southern California gym.
Here is what Santa Cruz and his father had to say Thursday:
Leo Santa Cruz
“I always train to make a statement. I want to go out there and show everyone that I’m really good and I deserve to be considered one of the best.
“I fight for my family. Since I was small, this is what I’ve wanted to do to help my family. I wanted to work hard and give my family a better future.
“Martinez is a strong fighter who comes forward and always puts pressure on you. He never backs down and always comes to fight. That’s what we like about this matchup — it makes for a more intense fight.
“We’re going to give the fans an entertaining show. The fans are the ones who are going to win at the end of the night. I’m going to go out there and try to knock him out by the end of the third round.
“I think he’s going to be the aggressor because he’s shorter and has to fight that way. But I’m going to go forward and be the aggressor too. If that’s not working, I’ll box him. We’re going to do what we need to do to win the fight.
“I see Carl Frampton vs. Scott Quigg as a 50-50 sib ntaus. It’s a tough fight for both of them. I think whoever catches the other guy first will get the victory. They both can hit and they both have great skills. It could go either way.
“It’s a very interesting fight between Frampton and Quigg. They’ve both been possible opponents for me and I hope that I do well that night and face the winner of that fight. Kuv tsis tu uas nws yog, I want to fight them.
“I’m willing to fight whoever. I want the winner of Frampton-Quigg. If not then Lee Selby, Gary Russell Jr., Jesus Cuellar or anyone in the division. Hopefully next it will be one of those fighters.
“My fighting style is to always go forward and throw a lot of punches. I just want to entertain the fans. I fight for them and I try to send them home happy. I want to go in there and fight in a war.
“I’m going to fight all of the top guys. I’m still young and I know if I keep working hard and taking care of the guy in front of me, I’ll get all of those fights.
“We’re working on our distance and learning new things every day in camp. I don’t want to change too much, since I’m undefeated. I’m going to be prepared mentally and physically to get the win.
“We’re working hard all the time. We know what we have to do in the ring to win the fight. My last fight our strategy was to brawl but we adjusted it and moved more and we were able to get the victory.
On his recent foray into boxing promotion: “Being a promoter is difficult. It’s very hard. You’re always busy, so right now I’m focused on my boxing career. I’m letting my brothers and my family take care of it now. I’m not there 100 percent yet but I like to give my opinion. It’s something I’d like to do after I retire.”
Jose Santa Cruz
“Leo is very well prepared as he always is. Peb yeej ib txwm cob qhia 100 percent and we are ready.
“The team is ready to fight. We have one week left to rest and put some finishing touches on this camp.
“We’re going to fight Martinez with our style. We’re going to do whatever we need to do to win the fight. Leo is going to take the fight to him and try to counteract whatever style Martinez brings.
“Nws tseem yuav mus yuav ib tug zoo sib ntaus. Whichever style Martinez brings, we’re going to out-maneuver him and make it a good fight. I see Leo winning a decision at least if not a knockout.”

Yog xav paub ntxiv mus xyuas www.SHO.com/Sports raws li nyob rau hauv TwitterSHOSports, @LeoSantaCruz2, @MartinezKiko, TGBPromotions, @HondaCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOSports
boxing, Showtime Boxing

CONFIDENT, POWER-PUNCHING KIKO MARTINEZ PREDICTS UPSET VICTORY, SAYS WRITING HIM OFF AGAINST CHAMP LEO SANTA CRUZ IS “MAJOR MISTAKE”

Cia ib saib

 

Challenger Vows To Take Advantage Of Unexpected Opportunity, Ceja-Ruiz II In Co-Main Saturday, Feb. 27, Nyob Ntawm Showtime® From Honda Center In Anaheim, California.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Tripleheader Begins With
Unbeaten Heavyweights Gerald Washington vs. Oscar Rivas

Daim pib RAU MUAG KHOOM TAM SIM NO!

Nyem NTAWM NO For Martinez Training Photos From Sampson Boxing Promotions

ANAHEIM, California. (Feb. 16, 2016) – Spain’s Kiko “Sensación” Martinez is a soft-spoken, hard-hitting former IBF Super Bantamweight World Champion and a three-time European champion at 122 phaus. He’s a come-forward, comes-to-win, aggressive-minded slugger who makes for exciting fights and has been in with excellent opposition.

 

The ultimate road warrior, the 5-foot-5, 29-year-old Martinez has fought more than one-third of his fights outside his native Spain, where he has tussled 26 lub sij hawm. He’s also fought four times in Ireland, three times in England, three times in Northern Ireland and one time each in Japan, Argentina, France and South Africa.

 

So don’t expect Martinez (35-6, 26 Kos) to be in awe of the surroundings in his second start in the United States when he challenges unbeaten, defending featherweight world champion Leo Santa Cruz (31-0-1, 17 Kos) rau Saturday, Feb. 27, nyob rau hauv lub ntsiab kev tshwm sim ntawm ib tug SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader nyob rau SHOWTIME (10 p.m. THIAB/7 p.m. PT) from Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

 

Martinez won his U.S. debut and the IBF 122-pound crown with a sixth-round TKO overJhonatan Romero on Aug. 17, 2013. “That was a great night for me,’’ Martinez said. “I’m confident of another great performance on Feb. 27.''

 

A winner of three in a row in his homeland, including a fourth-round TKO over Miguel Gonzalez kawg Dec. 12, Martinez aims to make amends after losing three high-profile fights in recent years to super bantamweight world champions – twice to Carl Frampton(IBF) and once to Scott QUIGG (WBA).

 

Martinez gets an opportunity against Santa Cruz in a fight he never saw coming.

 

“I’m thrilled to be fighting Leo Santa Cruz, but getting this fight was a total surprise because I already had a fight scheduled,’’ said Martinez, who trains at his friend and manager, former world super middleweight champion Sergio Martinez’ gym in Spain. “I had been scheduled to fight for the European title. When this opportunity came up, I decided to give up the European title to come to America.

 

“I was very happy and very emotional when I heard about this fight. It was one of the best days of my life when I agreed to fight Santa Cruz. Tam sim no, more boxing fans will get to see me. I will not take one step back. I will come forward the whole fight.

 

“I’m thankful to SHOWTIME and I’m excited for the challenge. It’s a huge fight in the United States and a great opportunity. Some people don’t think I can fight because I lost to those guys [Frampton and Quigg], but they are wrong. I am as determined as ever. I’m going to fight a great fight and come out with a victory.’’

 

While respectful of the champion, Martinez is no stranger to fighting on foreign soil and is poised to pull off a stunner.

 

“I will surprise many people who don’t believe in me,'' Nws hais tias. “I’m working so hard for this fight. People doubting me has me even more motivated. They will see on Feb. 27 and everyone will change their minds.

 

“I love fighting in my opponent’s backyard. That is not a problem for me at all. People who know boxing know I will give everything to this sport. I want to give great shows and entertain people. I’m coming forward and throwing punches and I don’t give up.

 

“I’m going to give 100 percent and it’s going to be a tremendous fight. I have a ton of respect for Leo Santa Cruz. He’s a world champion and a great fighter who’s clearly one of the very best featherweights in the world and a Top 10 phaus-rau-phaus fighter. I am very conscious of that point.

 

“Leo and I are true warriors so this will be a brutal war. But I have what it takes. I’ve been working very hard with my longtime trainer, Gaby Sarmiento, and I will be victorious.’’

 

A lifelong resident of Spain, Martinez was born in Granada, Spain, and resides in Alicante. He has two sisters and two brothers but is the only one in the family who boxes professionally. He turned to boxing as a young teenager.

 

“I started in boxing because when I was about 13 I was smaller and other kids bullied me all the time. So I began looking for a way to learn to defend myself,'' Nws hais tias. “Once I decided to start boxing and dedicated myself to it I fell in love with the sport.’’

 

Raws li ib tug pib xyaum ua, Martinez went 47-2 and won a Spanish national amateur championship, but he had no international amateur experience. “I had a good amateur career but never thought about the Olympics,'' Nws hais tias. “My mind was always on being a pro fighter.’’

 

A dangerous puncher who’s at his best when he pressures his opponents and wears them down, Martinez turned pro in June 2004. He was victorious in his initial 17 fights, winning all but three by knockout.

 

Martinez met Sergio Martinez [no relation] about nine years ago. “I met Sergio in the gym in Spain that he used to train himself in and we became good friends. When I started boxing I looked up to Julio Cesar Chavez and I am now a big fan of Marcos Maidana. I like to fight like him.

 

“But I’ve always had a special relationship with Sergio, who inspired me because he came from poverty like me. He has taught me so much. It’s like looking into a mirror because he knows where I came from. He’s taught me so much inside and outside the ring. We were very poor growing up and my father worked very hard.’’

 

Yog hais tias triumphant, Kiko Martinez says “I would like to stay at this weight because I feel much stronger. But I would definitely love a rematch with Frampton or Quigg.’’

 

Regarding the Frampton-Quigg 122-pound world title unification that also takes place onFeb. 27 (nyob rau hauv Manchester, Hais, nyob rau SHOWTIME huab®), Martinez didn’t hesitate when picking a winner.

 

“Frampton will win against Quigg,’’ Martinez said. “He’s the more complete boxer. He is stronger as well.”

 

Nyob rau hauv lub Feb. 27 co-feature on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, hard-hitting Mexican warriors Lub Xya hli ntuj Ceja (30-1, 27 Kos) thiab Hugo Ruiz (35-3, 31 Kos) will box in a rematch of an exciting, two-way slugfest for the WBC 122-pound world title that Ceja won from Ruiz on a fifth-round knockout last August

 

Rounding out the televised tripleheader is a 10-round fight between undefeated heavyweights Gerald Washington (16-0-1, 11 Kos) of Vallejo, California., and Montreal-based Colombian Oscar Rivas (18-0, 13 Kos).

 

Daim pib rau lub nyob kev tshwm sim, uas yog txhawb los ntawm TGB Promotions, yog luv nqi ntawm $27, $54, $104 thiab $199 and are on sale now via ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster retail locations or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the Honda Center Box Office.

 

Yog xav paub ntxiv mus xyuas www.SHO.com/Sports raws li nyob rau hauv TwitterSHOSports, @LeoSantaCruz2, @MartinezKiko, TGBPromotions, @HondaCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports

 

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UNBEATEN 2012 U.S. OLYMPIAN MICHAEL HUNTER, MIDDLEWEIGHT CONTENDER PAUL MENDEZ & FEATHERWEIGHT CONTENDER CLAUDIO MARRERO FEATURED IN UNDERCARD ACTION SATURDAY, FEB. 27 FROM HONDA CENTER IN ANAHEIM, California.

Cia ib saib
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Tripleheader Headlined By
Unbeaten Featherweight World Champion Leo Santa Cruz Against
Former World Champ Kiko Martinez
ANAHEIM, California. (Lub ob hlis ntuj 12, 2016) – Unbeaten 2012 U.S. Olympian Michael Hunter (10-0, 7 Kos), middleweight contender Paul Mendez (20-2-2, 10 Kos) and exciting featherweight contender Claudio “The Matrix” Marrero (19-1, 14 Kos) will compete in separate bouts that highlight undercard action on Saturday, Lub ob hlis ntuj 27 from Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
The event is headlined by a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader featuring undefeated three-division world champion Tsov ntxhuav “Av qeeg” Raug Cruz making his first featherweight world title defense against former world champion Kiko Martinez.In the co-feature bout, Mexican warriors Lub Xya hli ntuj Ceja thiab Hugo Ruiz will meet again in an awaited super bantamweight world title rematch and opening the telecast, heavyweights Gerald “Cov Dub Lau qaib” Washington thiab Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas will put their unblemished records on the line in a 10-round matchup. The telecast will air live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. THIAB/7 p.m. PT) and will be available in Spanish via Secondary Audio Programming (SAP).
Daim pib rau lub nyob kev tshwm sim, uas yog txhawb los ntawm TGB Promotions, yog luv nqi ntawm $27, $54, $104 thiab $199 and are on sale now via ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster retail locations or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the Honda Center Box Office.
Hunter will compete in an eight-round cruiserweight bout while Mendez will enter the ring in a 10-round middleweight affair against Yausua Okine (22-4, 15 Kos). Marrero takes on Jonathan Arellano (16-6-2, 4 Kos) in a 10-round featherweight attraction.
The action continues with 27-year-old Ceferino Rodriguez (20-1, 11 Kos) of Spain in an eight-round welterweight bout against Mexico’s Ernesto Ortiz (10-3, 7 Kos) plus 29-year-old South Korean brawler Min Wook Kim (14-1, 11 Kos) in a super lightweight contest against Mexico’s Jose Luis Rodriguez (14-6, 9 Kos).
Rounding out the night of fights is unbeaten 25-year-old Los Angeles-native Anthony Flores (9-0, 5 Kos) in an eight-round super lightweight bout against Daniel Nava (7-3-2, 3 Kos) while Leo Santa Cruz’s cousin,Antonio Santa Cruz (1-2, 1 KO) enters the ring in a four-round bantamweight fight against California’s Jorge Perez (2-0, 1 KO) and undefeated Mexican King Vargas (25-0, 20 Kos) nyob rau hauv featherweight txiav txim.
Vim txoj siav kev rau hauv thaum ntxov 2013 nram qab no rau London Olympic ua si, 27-xyoo-laus saib xyuas, sib ntaus sib tua tawm ntawm Las Vegas, NV, tau txuas ntxiv mus ci. With four victories in 2015, the last three by knockout, he will be looking to march again into the win column to kick off his 2016 phiaj los nqis tes.
Fighting out of Delano, California, the 26-year-old Mendez looks for his seventh straight victory when he gets in the ring on Lub ob hlis ntuj 27. Nws los rau hauv no sib ntaus tawm ntawm yeej tshaj David alonso Lopez, Santiago Perez, Raul Casarez, Andrik Saralegui and Ernesto Berrospe twice. He takes on the experienced Okine, who was born in Ghana but who fights out of Silver Spring, Maryland.
Tom qab winning ib tug silver laiv nyob rau hauv lub 2007 Yias American ua si, nyob rau hauv tas li ntawd mus rau ob peb lwm yam kev pib xyaum ua accolades, cov koom pheej Dominican lub Marrero yeej thawj 14 outings ntawm nws pro hauj lwm. The 26-year-old brings a five-fight winning streak to the ring and in his most recent bout he delivered a sensational one-punch knockout victory over former world champion Rico Ramos. Marrero takes on the 28-year-old Arrellano out of Commerce, California.
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